Showing posts with label 9th OH CAV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 9th OH CAV. Show all posts

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Tuesday, May 17, 1864

To-day one company of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry reports to Captain Ring. The remainder of Rowett's command is now deployed along the Tennessee River to intercept squads of rebels on the north side of the river, seeking to cross to their commands. Late in the evening Rowett arrives with his force at Center Star. Our rations are now out and in consequence the soldiers are making heavy requisitions upon the citizens, who no doubt before morning will come to the conclusion that they have not gained much by inviting Roddy and Johnson across the Tennessee to drive Dick Rowett and his troopers from North Alabama. How true it is "that every dog has his day." At ten o'clock P. M., we receive orders to report immediately to Athens, Alabama. We are soon in the saddle and on the road. We travel all night and cross Elk River early in the morning, and arrive and go into camp at Athens nine o'clock A. M.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 242

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Friday, May 13, 1864

This morning Captain Ring receives orders from Colonel Rowett to report with his detachment to the regiment, now at Prospect, Tennessee, where we arrive by dark and join the regiment from which we have been for the last two months. Soon after going into camp we learn that there is another expedition to be started towards Florence, Alabama, commanded by our gallant Dick Rowett, to be composed of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry and the Seventh Illinois Mounted Infantry.

We will now go back and follow Rowett from Florence to Pulaski, thence to Prospect, Tennessee. As we stated, when Roddy crossed at Bainbridge Ferry, Rowett, with a portion of the regiment was in Florence, Estabrook in camp at Sweet Water, and Ring at Center Star. Early on the morning of the seventh the rattle of musketry was borne to Rowett's ears from the direction of Bainbridge Ferry. In a moment he was on Charley and away towards Sweet Water, five miles from Florence, and two miles from the river. Arriving at Sweet Water he learns that a superior force, with two pieces of artillery, was on the north side of the Tennessee. Immediately Colonel Rowett dashes forward with Estabrook's detachment, consisting of companies E, B and C, to develop the strength of the enemy; finding it to be strong, Major Estabrook is ordered by Colonel Rowett to hasten back to Florence and bring out the remaining companies. In the meantime the companies on Sweet Water are routed, with the loss of Captain McGuire, Lieutenant Roberts and thirty men, all taken prisoner. The woods are now swarming with . rebels. Rowett's attention is now directed to the train corraled at Florence, whither a retreat is ordered. Captain Hector Perrin being left to conduct the retreat, Rowett hastens on to Florence to make preparations for the worst. Fifteen hundred rebels, led by Roddy and Johnson, are now driving Captains Perrin and Smith towards Florence, yelling like so many infuriated demons. The train is soon put on the road and started towards Lawrenceburg. Eager for Rowett's capture, the rebels press hard. East of Florence, on a slight elevation, Captain Smith, with the invincible E, takes his position and gallantly holds in check for one-half hour the entire rebel command, thereby giving Rowett time to get the wagon train well on its way. Smith then brings up the rear on the Lawrenceburg road. The rebels continue to press hard; the crash of artillery makes the earth tremble on the road leading down to Lawrenceburg. About every half mile Rowett is compelled to halt and give battle to the rebels, who seem loath to let him escape. About eleven o'clock, the rebels having given up the pursuit, Rowett goes into camp between Raw Hide and Lawrenceburg. Some considerable time after going into camp, Captain Johnson, with his company, joins the Colonel, having been cut off at Florence from the main command. Passing by the way of Lawrenceburg, Rowett arrived in Pulaski, Tennessee, on the eighth. On the ninth he gets part of his stock shod. On the tenth he leaves Pulaski, Tennessee, for Prospect via Lexington, Alabama, leaving Estabrook with the unshod mules and the teams at Pulaski. The Colonel, with his command, swims Elk River in the evening in the midst of a terrible storm; a hazardous undertaking, but information had reached the Colonel that the rebels were aiming to head him off and to burn the large railroad bridge spanning the Elk at Prospect. Early on the morning of the eleventh he reached Prospect in time to save the weakly guarded bridge from rebel wrath. Though we were not with the Colonel, we judge from the appearance of the men accompanying him, that he passed through some fierce hours. A colonel with less bravery than Colonel Rowett would have faltered had he stood like he did in that raging storm on the banks of the Elk River, and beheld its frightful current. But duty demanded it; the safety of the bridge at Prospect required it. Thus urged on, Rowett led and his men followed, and the daring deed was accomplished. It now seems that all the rebel force in North Alabama lent their aid for the sole purpose of capturing Dick Rowett and his regiment, who. have in the last twelve months been a terror to them in that region. All are in fine spirits to-night. Edwin M. Stanton's war bulletin—how cheering to the soldiers.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 238-40

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: May 14, 1864

This morning Colonel Rowett, with the Ninth Ohio Cavalry and the Seventh Illinois Mounted Infantry, leave Prospect on the road leading towards Lexington, Alabama.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 240

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: May 15, 1864

This morning we move early, the Ninth Ohio taking the advance. We strike the Huntsville road south of Center Star, and soon learn that Major Williams, with his battalion, is in camp on the Douglass plantation. Colonel Rowett, with the advance of the Ninth Ohio, soon comes upon their pickets. The rebel battalion being saddled ready to start to church, upon seeing Colonel Rowett advancing, are soon in their saddles and away towards the Tennessee where they plunge in and succeed in making their way on to Cedar Island, and thence to the opposite shore. Charging upon their rear at the river the Ninth Ohio capture twelve prisoners, with the loss of one man killed.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 240-1

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Monday, May 16, 1864

This morning Colonel Rowett moves with the command towards Florence, leaving Company H, Captain Ring, near Cedar and Cox's Islands to guard the crossings. This morning Company H buries the Ninth Ohio Cavalry's fallen soldier, who was killed yesterday evening. We lay him in a lonely place beneath the drooping branches of a large tree on the bank of the Tennessee. Though he is an Ohio soldier, we care for him with the same interest as we would were he one of our own company, and why should we not, since he has been a brave warrior, fighting in the same common cause beneath the same starry banner. A dispatch from Rowett this evening informs us that Roddy crossed the Tennessee last night at twelve o'clock; that he would not fight Rowett on an equal footing. This evening Colonel Rowett arrested Buckee and Judge Foster as hostages for the delivery of Dr. McVay, now held by the rebels because of his devotion to the old Union.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 241

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: November 26, 1863

I shall be glad when the suspense shall end and we can move forward or back where we can find plenty to eat. Had some hogs driven up for 9th and 2nd. Bought 5 head of cattle. Drove up 7 from near Gap. Infantry Brigade, Wilcox's, came up, still half starved. Jackson so begged that we lent him 1,200 Ib. of meal. Letter from Ella Clark. Answered it. Did me good. Hid a dispatch on a messenger.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 99

Monday, August 25, 2014

9th Ohio Cavalry

Regiment authorized October 3, 1862. Four Companies organized at Zanesville, Ohio, and designated 1st Battalion. Moved to Camp Dennison, Ohio, December 1, 1862, and duty there till April, 1863. Moved to Lexington, Ky., April 23, 1863, thence to Manchester, Ky., and duty there till June 15. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army Ohio, to July, 1863 (1st Battalion), 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, to October, 1863 (1st Battalion). 4th Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, to November, 1863 (1st Battalion). 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, Army Ohio, to March, 1864 (1st Battalion). Athens, Florence and Decatur, Ala., District of North Alabama, Dept. of the Cumberland, to August, 1864 (Regiment). Mounted Brigade, Garrard's Cavalry Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army Ohio, to October, 1864. 2nd Brigade, Kilpatrick's 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to June, 1865. Dept. of North Carolina to August, 1865.

SERVICE. – Expedition into East Tennessee June 15-28, 1863. Pine Mountain Gap June 16. Big Creek Gap June 17. Wartzburg June 18. Knoxville June 19-20. Moved to Loudon, Ky., thence to Stanford July 5, and to Danville July 7. Pursuit of Morgan and Scott July 10-26. Moved to Glasgow, Ky., August 1. Burnside's Campaign in East Tennessee August 16-October 17. Occupation of Knoxville September 2. Kingsport September 18. Bristol September 19. Zollicoffer September 20-21. Hall's Ford, Watauga River September 22. Carter's Depot and Blountsville September 22. Blue Springs October 10. Rheatown October 11. Blountsville October 14. Bristol October 15. Knoxville Campaign November 4-December 23. Siege of Knoxville November 17-December 6. Kimbrough's Cross Roads January 16. Operations about Dandridge January 16-17. Dandridge January 17. Operations about Dandridge January 26-28. Fair Garden January 27. Duty at Knoxville, Tenn., till March. 2nd Battalion of Regiment organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, November 6, 1863. 3rd Battalion organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, December 16, 1863. Left State under orders for Nashville, Tenn., February 6, 1864, thence moved to Athens, Ala., where 1st Batalion joined. Patrol duty along the Tennessee River at Athens and Florence, Ala., till May. Moved to Decatur, Ala., May 1-5. Repulse of attack on Decatur May 8. Centre Star May 15. Duty at Decatur till July 10. Expedition to Pulaski June 1-12. Operations in District of North Alabama July 24-August 20. Curtis Wells June 24. Pond Springs June 29. Rousseau's Raid to Atlanta & West Point Railroad July 10-22. Ten Island Ford, Coosa River, July 13. Courtland, Ala., July 25. Near Auburn and Chehaw Station July 18. Siege of Atlanta July 25-August 25. McCook's Raid on Atlanta and West Point and Macon & Western Railroad July 27-31 (Detachment). Lovejoy Station July 29. Near Newnan's July 30. Near East Point August 30. Big Shanty September 2. Ordered to Nashville, Tenn., thence to Louisville, Ky., to refit. March to the sea November 15-December 10. Bear Creek Station November 16. Walnut Creek and East Macon November 20. Waynesboro November 27-28. Buckhead Creek or Reynolds' Plantation November 28. Rocky Creek Church December 2. Waynesboro December 4. Buck Creek December 7. Cypress Swamp near Sister's Ferry December 7. Ebenezer Creek Decomber 8. Siege of Savannah December 10-21. Campaign of the Carolinas January to April, 1865. Barnwell, S. C., February 6. Aiken and Blackville February 11. Phillips' Cross Roads March 4. Taylor's Hole Creek, Averysboro March 16. Battle of Bentonville, N. C., March 19-21. Occupation of Goldsboro March 23. Raleigh April 13. Morristown April 13. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. Duty at Concord, N. C., till July 20. Mustered out August 2, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 16 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 186 Enlisted men by disease. Total 205.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1478

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Colonel William W. Lowe

FIFTH CAVALRY.

W. W. Lowe, at the time of being mustered colonel of the 5th Iowa Cavalry, or Curtis Horse, was a captain in the regular army, which is all I know of him.

The 5th Iowa Cavalry is not strictly an Iowa regiment, for a majority of the men composing it are not citizens of Iowa. The regiment was organized at Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, Missouri, early in 1862, and in pursuance of an order from the War Department, "directing the organization of a cavalry regiment, to be called the Curtis Horse." It was made up of troops from Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. M. T. Patrick was its lieutenant-colonel, and a Nebraska man; Carl Schaffer de Boernstein, William Kelsay and Alfred B. Brackett were its majors, the two former being from Iowa, and the latter from Minnesota. Companies E and F, and parts of Companies A, B, C and H, are from Iowa. One company of the regiment, (L) known as the Irish Dragoons, had seen service, and had proud antecedents. It formed part of the command of Major Zagonyi, at the time he made his brilliant charge into Springfield, Missouri, during the Fremont Campaign. In the charge, it lost its captain severely wounded, and its first-lieutenant killed.

The 5th Iowa Cavalry left St. Louis for the front, on the 8th of February, 1862, and first served in Tennessee. Indeed, the head-quarters of the regiment were maintained at Forts Henry and Donelson and vicinity, a principal portion of the time from the 12th of February, 1862, till the 5th of June, 1863, when they were transferred, by order of General Rosecrans, to Murfreesboro. The services of the 5th Iowa, for the first year and a half, were more arduous than brilliant. The regiment was kept constantly on the scout. It took part in no severe engagements, where the dead and wounded were counted by scores, and consequently gained little distinction. While serving in North Western Tennessee, the following are among the most important operations of the regiment.

Immediately after the fall of Fort Donelson, a detachment of the 5th Iowa under Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick moved up the Tennessee, by order of General Grant, to destroy the Memphis and Ohio Railroad-bridge, over the Tennessee River. The object of the expedition was successfully accomplished; and this was the regiment's first march. March 11th, Captain Craft led a battalion of the 5th Iowa to Paris, Tennessee, with a view of dispersing a rebel force under Colonel Clay King, who was enforcing the rebel conscript-law in the neighborhood. This expedition resulted in quite a serious engagement, in which the regiment lost its first men killed in battle; seven were killed and wounded. Late in March, 1862, Companies C, I and M, of the regiment, were detached, and ordered on duty with the Army of the Tennessee, then lying at Savannah. Major Brackett commanded the detachment, which was absent from the regiment for the period of five months.

The first serious misfortune which [befell] the regiment was the loss of its gallant major, Carl Schaffer de Boernstein. He was mortally wounded in the evening of the 6th of May, near Loughridge's Mills, Tennessee, and died the next day. On the 3d of May, a detachment of the regiment, under command of the major, had marched, by order of Colonel Lowe, beyond Paris, to the neighborhood of the Obion River, for purposes of reconnoissance. On the 6th instant, the detachment had completed its marching for the day, and gone into camp. Having thrown out pickets, they began preparing their supper, when they were startled by firing on the picket-line. The men seized their guns, and, under the direction of the major, formed line of battle; but they were almost instantly assaulted by a superior rebel force under Colonel Clayborne, and, after a short struggle, completely routed. The major was shot while cheering his men to continue the struggle. Lieutenant William T. Hays, the regiment's historian, pays this gallant officer the following tribute:

The untimely death of Major Schaffer was deeply deplored by the regiment. A nobleman by birth, he left his fatherland on account of political troubles, and sought an asylum in the land of the free; and, in defense of the country of his adoption, he poured out his blood on the battle-field. Only a short time before his death, he had succeeded to his paternal titles and estate of the Barony of Boernstein. The gallant major had preferred service in the army of the United States, to a life of inglorious ease. His body was forwarded to Dubuque, Iowa, and attended to the tomb by a larger concourse of citizens than had ever assembled there before on a similar occasion."

Captains Haw and Van Minden were wounded in this same engagement, at Loughridge's Mills.

From the 10th of May till the latter part of August, 1862, the 5th Iowa continued on the scout, but without any thing happening worthy of special mention: during this time, Colonel Lowe had command of Forts Henry and Donelson, and also of Fort Heiman.

On the 26th of August, the rebel Colonel Woodward attacked Major Hart at Fort Donelson, with a force, numbering about six hundred. Colonel Lowe, who was at the time at Fort Heiman, marched to the major's relief; but before his arrival the enemy had been repulsed. He at once started in pursuit, and came on the rebel pickets near the mines of the Cumberland Iron Works. A sharp engagement followed, in which the regiment lost twelve killed and wounded: all the casualties were from Company B. Lieutenant McNeely was severely, and Lieutenant Summers mortally wounded.

Of Lieutenant Milton S. Summers, Lieutenant Hays says: "A more gallant officer never drew sword for his country. Riddled with balls, he fell from his horse near the enemy's cannon, and was surrounded by a crowd of them, who attempted to bayonet him; but, although unable to rise to his feet, he cut at his assailants with his sabre, and split one of them from the shoulder to the centre of his body, and cut the hand of another nearly off. He fought with his sabre till it become so bent as to be useless, and then shot five times with his revolver, when the crowd of rebels, pressing on him from all sides, wrenched his pistol from his grasp, and made him a prisoner. When taken, he had seven minnie balls in his body, and a bayonet-wound in his thigh." Lieutenant Summers was a native of Illinois, and a resident of Glenwood, Mills county, Iowa.

After this affair at the Cumberland Iron Works, the rebel forces remained in the neighborhood of Fort Donelson for many weeks, giving constant annoyance to the Federal troops. Several expeditions were sent out to disperse them, and thus the Fall and Winter, and following Spring passed. On one of these expeditions, Lieutenant Gallagher, of Company L, was killed.

On the 5th of June, 1863, the 5th Iowa Cavalry left its old field of operations for one which, if it did not promise greater activity, promised better reward. General Rosecrans summoned it to Murfreesboro. That general was about assuming the offensive against Bragg, and the 5th Iowa was among the troops the Government gave him, to enable him to push his operations to success. The regiment arrived at Murfreesboro on the 11th of June, 1863, and served under General Rosecrans till he was superseded. It was the only Iowa regiment in the celebrated Army of the Cumberland. Rosecrans began moving his army about the middle of June, and, from that time till the rebel army was flanked and forced from its intrenchments, the 5th Iowa was constantly in the saddle, and riding from one wing of the army to the other. After Bragg had been forced back across the mountains, the regiment was stationed in the rear, to protect the line of communications, and to guard supply-trains to the front. During the months of July and August, it served, a chief portion of the time, at Murfreesboro; but, on the 6th of September, except Companies I and K, left for McMinnville, Tennessee.

Early in October, 1863, the rebel General Wheeler appeared in Middle Tennessee, threatening General Thomas' communications to the rear. He had crossed the mountains, and was hourly looked for at almost any point along the line of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. Accordingly, on the 4th of October, Colonel Lowe, who was at the time in camp with his regiment near Winchester, received orders to move in the direction of Murfreesboro. On the 6th instant, he reached Tullahoma, where he learned that Wheeler was in force at Wartrace. He accordingly proceeded to Duck River Bridge, where he left his train, and then moved rapidly against the enemy. They were found in force in the woods near the town, and engaged and driven in the direction of Shelbyville. The 5th Iowa made pursuit, pressed them through Shelbyville and to the Tennessee River, which Wheeler succeeded in crossing, by breaking his force up into small detachments. Having thus escaped, he re-organized his troops, and moved out through Tuscumbia. It was this same force which fought Sherman's advance at Cherokee and other places, while that general was on his way from Corinth to Chattanooga.

After Wheeler had been driven across the Tennessee, the 5th Iowa Cavalry turned on the forces of Roddy, reported in the vicinity of Huntsville and Athens, but after marching as far as Salem, Tennessee, turned back with its division to Maysville, Alabama, where it arrived on the 17th of October, and went into camp. In November following, Major Young of the 5th Cavalry performed a most successful raid along the Tennessee River, for which he received the special thanks of Major-General Thomas. The fruits of the expedition are given thus by Lieutenant Hays:

"In this expedition, in which the 5th Iowa Cavalry bore so prominent a part, a rebel captain and eight soldiers were captured, nine large ferry boats captured and destroyed, (eight of them from under the enemy's guns) two hundred fine mules and horses captured, one mill in the possession and employ of the enemy destroyed, and contrabands brought in to complete the organization of a regiment then forming at Maysville."

The following is from General Thomas:


"BRIGADIER GENERAL GEORGE CROOK,
Commanding 2d Cavalry Division, Maysville, Alabama.

" * * The major-general commanding directs that you tender his thanks to Major Young, for the brave, energetic and prudent manner, in which the expedition was conducted."


Major J. Morris Young is a native of Indiana, and an Iowa man, having entered the service from Page county.

The month of December was passed in scouting through Northern Alabama, principally along the Tennessee River. During the operations of this month, Sergeants McGuire and Ireland, and Private Ireland, of the 5th Iowa Cavalry, were the heroes of a story which deserves to be related at length.

"On the 19th of December, Major Brackett sent Sergeants McGuire and Ireland, and Private Ireland, all of Company H, to Paint Rock, with letters and dispatches. When within four miles of Paint Rock, the party were captured by twenty-one guerrillas, and taken to the mountains, where they were stripped of their clothing and money. Private Ireland, who had charge of the dispatches, secreted them inside his drawers, where the enemy failed to find them. Next morning, the prisoners were left under guard of two guerrillas, while the balance of the gang went down the mountain to watch for more booty. Our brave boys watched their opportunity, sprang on the guards, took their guns away from them, and told them to go down the mountain and give no alarm, and their lives should be spared; but, after going about fifty yards, the guards drew their revolvers, (which our men, in the excitement, had overlooked) and commenced firing, but without effect. Our men then fired, killing both the guerrillas, and made their escape to camp. The bodies of the guerrillas were found next day, where they fell, their companions having decamped in such haste as to leave them unburied."

The 5th Iowa Cavalry re-enlisted as veterans in December, and in the following month were granted veteran furlough. Returning to the field in March, the regiment lay at Nashville (except a part of it, which guarded railroad at Pulaski) till the 8th of the following July, when it joined General Rosseau at Decatur, preparatory to starting on the celebrated Alabama raid. This was a most daring undertaking, and it will be interesting to know the troops composing the command. They were the 8th Indiana, 2d Kentucky, 9th Ohio, 5th Iowa and 4th Tennessee, (all cavalry regiments) and a section of artillery.

The object of this expedition was to make a diversion in favor of General Sherman, then well on his way to Atlanta, and to destroy important lines of rebel communication. It was a complete success, and was made with less sacrifice of life and property than any other like expedition of the war.

General Rosseau, equipped with fine horses, and with five days' rations of bread and bacon and fifteen of sugar and coffee, marched quietly out of Decatur, in the afternoon of Sunday, the 10th of July, and the first night rested in Summerville. Taking a south-easterly course, his line of march lay through the following points: Summit, Blountsville, over Sand Mountain, Ashville, Springville, Jackson's Ford, Talladega, Stone's Ferry across the Tallapoosa River, Dadeville, and Lochepoga on the line of the West Point and Montgomery Railroad. This was the objective point. The march progressed without accident, until the arrival at Springville, on the Coosa River, in the evening of the 13th of July. The 5th Iowa Cavalry was, at the time in question, rear-guard, and was some three or four hundred yards behind the main column, when Captains Curl and Wilcox, riding forward in the interval between their own regiment and the mule-train, were ambushed by guerrillas. Being ordered to surrender, they turned back their horses to escape, when the marauders fired, killing Captain Curl instantly, and seriously wounding Captain Wilcox

Crossing the Coosa at Jackson's Ford, so christened from General Jackson having crossed at that point during the Creek War, the command marched in the direction of Talladega, and, during the day, destroyed some extensive rebel iron works. At Talladega on the line of the Blue Mountain and Selma Railroad, General Rosseau burned a large depot, stored with cotton and extensive rebel supplies, and destroyed the telegraph and the railroad for a considerable distance. Lochepoga was finally reached in the evening of the 17th instant This, as I have said, was the objective point. It was situated on one of the chief arteries of the Confederacy — that connecting Atlanta and the East with Montgomery and the Gulf. Its destruction would be an irreparable damage to the enemy, and was a misfortune they never looked for.

The work of destruction was at once begun. All that night, one-half of the command worked tearing up the road and burning bridges and trestle-work, while the other half watched for the enemy, and rested on their arms. Near Chehaw, some ten miles west of Lochepoga, was a long line of trestle-work, which, on the morning of the 18th instant, Major Beard of the 6th Iowa Cavalry, with a small command, was sent out to destroy; but he met the enemy twelve hundred strong a few miles out, and was driven back. Reinforcements were sent for and came up, when an engagement ensued, which resulted in the defeat of the enemy and the complete destruction of the road. That same afternoon, the 18th, General Rosseau left Lochepoga, moving in the direction of West Point on the Georgia and Alabama line. He passed through Auburn, and as far east as Opelika, destroying the road all the way.

The enemy were now filled with alarm; for rumor had magnified the Federal force to fabulous numbers, and they looked for a direct advance on Atlanta. Rebel troops were therefore summoned from every quarter to West Point, where they were to make a desperate stand. But Rosseau left them watching, and quietly took himself in the direction of the Federal lines. Leaving the West Point road at Opelika, he marched in a north-easterly course, and, passing through La Fayette, Rock Mills, Carrollton and Villa Rica, reached the Federal pickets at Sweet Water Bridge, at noon of the 22d of July. That evening he marched into Marietta.

The results of this expedition are summed up as follows: It was out thirteen days, "during which time the command marched three hundred and eighty miles, entirely in the enemy's territory, destroyed thirty-five miles of railroad, five large depots filled with cotton and supplies for the rebel army, one shot and shell manufactory, one locomotive and train of cars, and captured many valuable horses and mules, inflicting a loss on the enemy estimated at twenty millions of dollars. All this was accomplished with a loss to us of one captain and four privates killed, and one captain and eight privates wounded. All the above loss was in the 5th Iowa Cavalry, except one man of the 8th Indiana Cavalry, wounded," ample evidence, showing the part that regiment bore in the brilliant and successful raid.

After a few days' rest, the 5th Iowa Cavalry started on the McCook raid to the rear of Atlanta, a history of which luckless affair will be found in the sketch of Colonel Dorr and his regiment. The regiment lost in this raid one hundred and twenty-one officers and men in killed, wounded and captured. Lieutenant Andrew Guler was killed, and Lieutenant William T. Hays, the regiment's historian, captured. Next in its history is the advance on Jonesboro, which the regiment, with the cavalry troops under Kilpatrick, led. In this movement, it lost nineteen killed and wounded, the largest list of casualties in proportion to the number engaged that was sustained by any regiment in the engagement.

On the 8th of August, 1864, by special order of the War Department, the veterans of the 5th Iowa Infantry were consolidated with the 5th Iowa Cavalry, and thus the noble 5th Infantry lost its organization. The two commands were united early in September, and, not long after, were sent back to Nashville to be re-mounted and re-fitted for the field. At Nashville, the regiment took part, under General Thomas, in beating back Hood from that city; and, finally, after several weeks' rest, joined General Wilson in his brilliant march through Alabama and Georgia. It is now stationed near Macon, Georgia, with the prospect of being soon mustered out of the service.

SOURCE: Addison A. Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 621-30

Thursday, October 22, 2009

COLONEL PARIS PERRIN HENDERSON

THIRD COLONEL, TENTH INFANTRY.

Paris P. Henderson was born at Liberty, Union county, Indiana, on the 3d day of January, 1825. He was educated at the Common Schools of his native town, where he resided till he reached his eighteenth year. At eighteen, he learned the tanner's and currier's trade in Vermillion county, Illinois. He settled in Warren county, Iowa, in the fall of 1847, and two years later was appointed organizing-sheriff of that county. In August, 1851, he was elected County Judge of his county, which office he held for three consecutive terms. In the fall of 1859, he was elected to the State Senate, and was the Senator of Warren county at the outbreak of the war.

In September, 1861, Mr. Henderson was commissioned captain of Company G, 10th Iowa Infantry, which he had enlisted in Warren county. On the 27th of January, 1863, he was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy, and, on the 18th of the following August, to the colonelcy of the 10th Iowa Infantry. On the arrival of General Sherman at Savannah, in his grand march from Atlanta to the sea, Colonel Henderson resigned his commission, having served three years and nearly three months. The military history of Colonel Henderson reflects on him much credit: it is the same as that of his regiment; for, from the time of his entering the service until the date of his leaving it, he was present with it. Even during the greater part of the time of his lieutenant-colonelcy, he commanded it; for Colonel Small was sick and absent.

Early in September, 1863, the 10th Iowa Infantry, which was then in camp at Vicksburg, left with its division for the purpose of reinforcing General Steele, then marching on Little Rock; but, news coming of the fall of Little Rock on the arrival of the division at Helena, it remained in camp at that place, awaiting transports in which to return to Vicksburg. In the meantime, General Sherman's old Corps had been ordered to report at Chattanooga. The march from Memphis commenced about the middle of October. Why, I do not know, but for some reason the 7th Division of the 17th Corps was separated from its command, and ordered to join General Sherman in this march. There were many other troops, who for a long time had done little, and who, in fairness, should have been selected for this arduous campaign. It was supposed by the division that the mettle of which it had shown itself possessed, on so many battle-fields, had determined the commanding general in this choice; for General Grant was once reported to have said: — "One knows just what he can do with that division." In justice to the veteran troops of this command, these facts should be stated; for they should receive the credit due to their gallant services. And here, although not in strict keeping with my plan, I yield to what I know would be the earnest wish of the regiment whose history I am recording, and append the names of the regiments which constituted this noble command. In the First Brigade were the 4th Minnesota, the 48th and 59th Indiana, the 18th Wisconsin, and the 63d Illinois. In the Second Brigade were the 10th Missouri, the 17th Iowa, the 56th Illinois, and the 80th Ohio. In the 3d Brigade were the 5th and 10th Iowa, the 26th Missouri, and the 93d Illinois. In our great National struggle there has been no more worthy or potent representative from the great North West than the 7th Division, 17th Army Corps.

Moving up the river from Helena to Memphis, the 10th Iowa left that city early in October, and proceeded by rail as far as Glendale, Mississippi, nine miles east of Corinth. From that point the regiment marched to Chattanooga, by way of Dixon's Station; Chickasaw Landing, on the Tennessee River; Florence, Alabama, Rogersville, Prospect Station, on the Nashville and Decatur Railroad; Fayetteville, Winchester, Decherd and Bridgeport. The Tennessee River, at Chickasaw Landing, was crossed on the night of the 30th of October, and, in the evening of the 19th of November, the 10th Iowa, with its division, arrived under Lookout Mountain. The night of the 30th of October, 1863, was stormy and dismal, which not only rendered the crossing of the Tennessee disagreeable, but soured the tempers of all. General –––, in command of the division, superintended the crossing of his troops, and, like every one else, was irritable. On one occasion, while his boat was approaching the south bank of the river, the detail on shore had left their post, and no one chanced to be at hand but a lieutenant, the son of a Congressman. The hawser being thrown ashore and no one there to receive it, General ––– cried out, "Take hold of that rope, sir." "I am a lieutenant, and the son of Congressman –––." " Don't care a d—n, take hold of that rope." But the lieutenant was relieved by the detail, who at that instant came up.

I have said that the 10th Iowa, with its division, arrived at the foot of Lookout Mountain in the evening of the 19th of November. The head of the division arrived in Lookout Valley just before night-fall, and no sooner was it seen by the enemy, than he commenced displaying his signal-lights. Bragg knew that General Grant was receiving reinforcements, but the number he could not tell, for darkness intervened soon after the head of the column came in view. Before day-light the next morning, the division was marched across the Tennessee River, and behind some hills, out of view of the enemy. It was said that this was one of the plans which General Grant had adopted to puzzle and mislead the enemy; and it may be correct history. It was even said that General Grant would, in the night-time, march troops from the north bank of the river under Lookout Mountain, and, after day-light the next morning, march them back to their former position. But, however this may be, it is certain that Bragg was, by some means, thrown from his reckoning; for he attributed to General Grant, at Chattanooga, a much larger army than he had.

From the 20th of November until the 23d, the 10th Iowa, with its brigade and division, rested in camp behind the hills above mentioned, but at mid-night of the last named date marched down to the river to effect a crossing. The crossing was to be made in pontoons, and just below the mouth of South Chickamauga Creek. The pontoon-boats had already been launched in the North Chickamauga, so that all was in readiness. The brigade of General Giles A. Smyth, numbering about eighteen hundred men, led the advance. Embarking on the pontoon-boats, they floated quietly down into the Tennessee, and then made rapidly for the opposite shore; and so quiet and systematic were their movements that they surprised and captured the entire picket-guard of the enemy but one. By day-light in the morning, nearly three entire divisions of Sherman's command had reached the south bank safely, and were behind intrenchments nearly a mile and a half in length. These successes insured victory to General Grant at Chattanooga; for he could now swing round on the enemy's right and rear, and force him to abandon his boasted impregnable position.

In the fighting which followed, the 5th, the 10th, and the 17th Iowa regiments took a conspicuous part, though neither of these regiments met the enemy till the 25th instant. Nor did the 6th Iowa, which was the only other Iowa regiment that crossed the Tennessee with Sherman, meet the enemy before that time. In a south-westerly direction from where the crossing was effected, and about four miles distant, was the long range of irregular and precipitous hills, known as Mission Ridge; and to wrest these from the possession of the enemy, was the object of General Sherman's crossing the river. At about three o'clock in the afternoon of the 24th instant, the 10th Iowa, with its brigade and division, (the whole command drawn up in column by division) marched down through the timber and wet bottom-lands that intervened between the place of crossing and Mission Ridge, to assault and capture a high hill in the northern portion of the ridge. The movement was made, and the hill gained without a casualty; for, not having been fortified, it was abandoned by the enemy. But on the next hill beyond, which was about half a mile distant, were the enemy in large force, and strongly fortified; and against this position were the attacks of the 7th Division directed the next day. Retiring from the hill just occupied by its division, the 10th Iowa bivouacked the night of the 24th in the woods near the Chattanooga and Knoxville Railroad; but there was little sleep for the regiment, for it was during that night that General Hooker was driving the enemy from Lookout Mountain; and such an incessant and appalling fire of musketry was hardly ever heard before in the night-time. It raged from sun-down until near day-light the next morning. Thus far every thing had worked favorably, and "on the night of the 24th our forces maintained an unbroken line, with open communications, from the north end of Lookout Mountain, through Chattanooga Valley, to the north end of Mission Ridge." General Bragg was now defeated; and to save his army, his baggage, stores and artillery, was with him the important question. The point against which the attacks of the 5th, 6th, 10th and 17th Iowa regiments, with their respective commands, were directed on the 25th instant, covered and protected Bragg's line of communications to the rear; and hence it was that the fighting at that point was of the most desperate character; for, that hill lost, and Bragg would have lost nearly every thing.

The 10th Iowa, with its brigade, was ordered up to reinforce General Ewing's command at eleven o'clock in the morning. Moving west across the railroad already alluded to, it marched out across an open field, and down into low ground, which was covered with under-brush. Next, it was faced to the south, which brought it fronting the hill in question, and for the possession of which, General Sherman was now struggling. Thus far, the entire brigade had lost but two men; but now orders came for an advance — first to the White House, (which was already in flames) and then to the top of the hill. In the advance to the White House, the artillery-firing of the enemy was most frightful. Their position on the hill, or succession of hills, was semi-circular, and, at different points along their line, were some forty pieces of artillery in battery, the range of which was short and accurate. They used solid shot, shell, canister and grape; and, altogether, it was the most terrific artillery-fire the 10th Iowa ever passed under in the open field. It was also the most terrific artillery-fire the 5th and 17th Iowa ever passed under. To this day, I can not recall that hour, without feeling in sympathy with the old Latin poet: "Steteruntque comoe et vox faucibus hoesit."

On the hill-top, the 10th held the left of the brigade, and fought with its accustomed gallantry; but the numbers of the enemy, with their strong position, could not be overcome, and a retreat had to be ordered soon after General Matthies, its brigade commander, was wounded. The engagements of Champion's Hill and Mission Ridge are regarded by the 10th Iowa, as among their hardest battles.

From the 25th of November, 1863, until the following May, the histories of the 10th and 17th Iowa regiments are similar. The 10th marched to Graysville, Georgia, in pursuit of Bragg's forces, and then, returning, was ordered to Huntsville, Alabama, where it remained until the following May. It was then sent to Decatur, Alabama, the junction of the Nashville and Decatur with the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. While at Huntsville, the regiment had re-enlisted as veterans; but it did not receive its veteran furlough until the following June.

While stationed at Decatur, the 10th Iowa, under Lieutenant-Colonel McCalla, with some one hundred and thirty men of the 9th Ohio Cavalry, had a little affair with the rebel forces of General Forest, on the south side of the Tennessee River; but I omit details, for their recital could give no additional lustre to the already brilliant record of the regiment.

The 10th Iowa Infantry returned to the front late in July, 1864, and arrived at Kingston, Georgia, on the 1st of August. Here it remained on guard-duty along the railroad, until the time of Wheeler's celebrated cavalry raid on General Sherman's rear line of communications, when it joined the command which was organized to make pursuit. The expedition was out about twenty days, and marched, during that time, more than five hundred miles. But their fleet-footed adversary could not be brought to a stand, and, after pursuing him through East and Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama, they finally came up with him just as his rear-guard was crossing the Tennessee River at Florence. Soon after, followed the flank movement of General Hood, after which, the 10th Iowa moved with General Sherman on his memorable march to Savannah. Its last campaign was from Savannah to Raleigh, and that will probably be its last in the war; for the veteran army of Northern Virginia has now surrendered.

Colonel Henderson is about six feet in hight, and well formed. He has a pleasant face, and an easy, winning address. No one can know him but to like him. The Colonel was a brave and efficient officer, and popular with his regiment; but he was too kind and conceding, I am told, for an excellent disciplinarian.

Henderson was one of the Iowa colonels who would do justice to a subordinate, without an express or implied consideration. He never bartered his honor to enhance his chances for promotion.

SOURCE: Addison A Stuart, Iowa Colonels and Regiments, p. 227-34